Washing machine



Sept. 24. 1940. E. A. EBERT WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Sept.v 24, 1940.

E. A. EBERT WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 721. az fieri 072m, ATTORNEYS tented ficpt o 24, 1940 1 51 STATS atlases was an cu Edward A. Ebert, Buflalo, N. W, assiguor to encago Electric lllanuiacturing Company, Chicage, Ill... a corporation or air Application N'oveher 1d, lldtd, Serial lilo. t lhthil 5 Elaims. till. 10.:

The present invention relatesto a washing machine d more specifically to a device of theclass which employs an agitator to create a washing turhulence.

in accordance with the present invention there is provided a portahle washing machine which occupies a "elatively small space hothduring use anddur ng storage. The machines heretoiore in gen rai use have heen characterised by m considerahle hulls which rendered their use in the home a real prohlem unless a considerahle amount oi laundry space was available. Such devices, during periods of non-use, present a real prohlem as to storage which may he frequently an m insurmountable dthieulty in small homes, apartments and the hire.

it is an ohiect oi" the present invention, therei'ore, to provide an improved washing machine oi simple construction which is light in weight and which occupies only a little more space than the container necessary to enclose the wash.

Another ohject oi? the present invention is to provide a portalole washing machine which is tree ironi paclrlng glands, and other elements involv- 25 log relatively movahle mechanical parts so locat- "ed that lealrage or similar mechanical diwculties may result.

ilet another ohiect oi the present invention is to provide a washing machine oi the aloove type up wherein the driving parts are all mounted above the normal washing liquid level in the washer so that they are insusceptihle todamage thereby" an additional ohiect oi the present invention is to provide a washing machine, as alcove, comw prising only three parts, which parts are readily assenihleahle and freely separable ior cleaning, handling and arrangement in storage, and particularly wherein the aforementioned freely sep-' arahle parts interenee in such a manner as to to transmit the energy necessary for producing the washing action. To this end it is prosed tov provide a resilient, frictional engaging means hetween the part comprising the driving members and the supporting means for the said part such that no special interconnection of clamping means is necessary, while at the same time loss or washing fluid due to agitation orsplashlng is prevented.

Numerous other objectsand advantages will 7 m he apparent throughout the course and progress oi the following specification, wherein:

Fig. l is an elevational view of a washing ma- A chine constructed in accordance with the present invention, the lower portions having been broken away along a line extending centrally through the machine iii order to'dlsclose the internal structure {Fl-g. 2 is a sectional detail view taken on the 60 line 2-2111 Fig. 1;

' nular, upwardly facing recess adapted to receive Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken on the line d--i in me. i;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view taken on the line t-t in Fig. l;

Fla. 5 is a sectional view taken through the machine on the line ill-l1 in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view talren on the line i --t in Fig.1;

his. 7 is a sectional detail view talren on the line 'l--l in Fig. 5, namely, on a plane which is normal to the plane upon which the section. oi Fig. e is shown.

e washing machine shown for the purpose oi illustrating the present invention'comprises in general a cylindrical vessel it for enclosing the W wash, an agitator it normally arranged within the vessel hut removahle thereirorn, as will here inaiter appear more in detail, and a cover and drive assemhly i l. The enclosing vessel it is defined hyan upstanding cylindrical side wall it W a closed at its lower end hy the hottom wall it, the

upper end or the container per se helng open, as clearly shown in Fig. i. it should he noted that the upper edge oi the cylindrical wall it is hanged outwardly as at it to provide an an m and support the lower edge oi the cover memher (Fig. 1).. The annular flange ill terminates radially in an annular, rounded head it. Handle memhers it oppositely positioned on the outer upper surface oi the vessel it are permanently riveted to the vessel through the agency or rivetc it. v I l The hottom wall it mounts centrally thereof a pivot pin or pintle it. It will be obvious i'ron'i 35 a consideration oi Fig. i that the pin it is secured in place by passing its reduced lower cyli'ndrical end it through a close-fitting aperture in the bottom wall it and heading over the projecting portion as at it. it washer it is preierahly included in the assemhlmes shown in the figure, to provide a thrust hearing suri'ace for the agitator. It will he obvious from the above that-the pintle assembly shown provides a positlve, permanent interconnection free from any possibility of leakage or iailure.

The agitator it is formed with a central cylindrical column to comprising a tube provided with an integral plurality of radially-projecting vanes 38, having adjacent its lower end an outmy wardly projecting flange to radially co-extensive with the vanes. Attention is directed to the fact that the mtemal configuration oi the tubular, central cylindrical column 36 is such as to properly engage the pivot pin 28 in bearing re- 56 lationship, that is to say, when the agitator I2 is positioned upon. the pin as shown in Fig. 1 it isv pivotally mounted thereon for rotational or oscillatory movement while being positioned l centrally with respect to the washing container. co

It should be noted that the lower end of the column 36 rests in bearing relationship upon the washer 34,-.the lower inner edge of the column being beveled or chamfered as at 42 to enhance this function. The upper end of the tubular column portion 36 of the agitator is configurated internally as at 44 (Figs. 1 and 6) for the purpose of accommodating a rectangular driving member. That is to say, while the central tubular portion of the agitator is cylindrical in the embodiment shown, the upper end provides in axial alinement therewith an aperture of polygonal cross section. The motive driving and transmission means for the entire machine is comprised by the top unit M which comprises a circular, somewhat bell-shaped cover 36. It should be noted that the cover is flanged downwardly adjacent its periphery as at 48 and terminates in a rolled or curved bead 50, the head 50 serving to mountan annular tubular supporting member 52 which seats within the annular recess provided by the flange 20, as hereinbefore described.

It is of great importance to note that the annular supporting member 52 is preferably of some suitable frictional material, preferably having resilient characteristics, adapted to make firm frictional contact with the supporting vessel Ill. This is of great importance, not only in preventing splashing. or leakage of the washing fluid but also because the parts in operation must necessarily at all times be interengaged sufiiciently to resist the reactive forces set up by the actuation of the agitator. Thus, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention the interengaging portions of the cover and body portion of the washer are preferably free from special interconnecting means, being symmetrically, annularly formed so that they may be instantly assembled by any unskilled person without the necessity of positive mechanical interconnection. It has been found, however, in accordance with the present invention,

' that the parts are adequately engaged and supported when the annular supporting member 52 is composed of rubber, leather or the like. The

instant structure, moreover, assures the proper close tolerances in manufacture.

The cover unit I 4 mounts centrally thereof a driving motor 54 and a transmission assembly 56. The motor, in the embodiment disclosed, has a handle 58 across its upper end which greatly facilitates the manipulation of the entire cover unit. The motor is mounted on the cover in axial alinement with the agitator, havinga drive shaft projecting downwardly as at 60 (Figs. 6 and 7). The present motor 54 is provided with a lower, self-alining bearing structure. To this end the lower wall 62 of the motor housing is formed downwardly or convexly as at 64 and terminates in an annular, inclined flange portion 66 adapted to engage a bulged or generally spherical portion of the bearing 68 formed on the shaft. A separate sheet member or plate Hi, apertured upwardly to provide an inclined flange bearing support 12, engages the upper part of the spherical section 68 and is held in position by tab or finger portions 14 extending through opposed slots 16 in the lower wall 62 of the motorf The motor 54 rests upon four upwardly, convexly deformed landings 18, being secured rigidly to the cover by means of maing is apertured as at 86 to provide for ventilation, the top wall being preferably apertured in the same manner. In making the apertures IS the material removed is struck out as at 86 for positioning the nuts 82.

The transmission assembly comprises a housing it closed by an integral wall 88 at its bottom and by a separable wall 92 at the top. A plurality of elongated embossments 94 project upwardly from. the top wall 92 and extend into the concavities formed by the deformations E8 to properly space the housing from the cover, the aforementioned machine bolts extending through the housing and the embossments 94 to rigidly unite the transmission, the cover and the motor.

The cover 92 is additionally provided with an upstanding cylindrical skirt 9% which encloses the shaft so and performs the important function of sealing the motor bearing with the cooperation of a sealing washer 98. ing washer B8 is clamped between the upper annular edge of'the skirt 96 and lower portion of the motor housing, the cover 46 being apertured sufliciently to permit a portion at least of the washer to extend freely therethrough. Attention is particularly directed to the fact that arranged and assembled in the manner shown in Figs. 6 and '7 it is impossible for the sealing washer to become dislocated in any direction.

The present transmission assembly is arranged to transform the rotational energy of the drive motor preferably into oscillatory reduced motion for transmission to the agitator. For this purpose, the lower end oi the drive shaft 66 is provided with a small pinion mil, rigid therewith, which meshes with a larger gear M2. The gear m2 carries in axial alinement a pinion WE which. in turn, meshes with a spur gear M38. The spur gear W6 has a cylindrical pivot m8 providing a crank, the crank its pivotally mounting the end of a rack H0 through the agency of a bearing sleeve or bushing H2. The teeth of the rack member i ii) engage a pinion I M rigidly pinned as at M6 to a drive shaft H8 (Figs. 6 and '7). The rack Hi l is maintained in engagement with the pinion i i i at all times by means of a pin i it rigid with the bottom wall til of the housing and engaging the rear side of the rack. Accordingly, in operation, rotation of the motor shaft 8i! rotates the crank Hid through the medium of the gears Hill, I02, HM and N36. The action of the crank mi, accordingly, reciprocates the rack iii! to cause an oscillatory movement of the shaft i I8. Attention is particularly directed to the fact that in accordance with the present structure the rack H0 slides on the bottom wall 96 of the housing. The bushing or fitting i ii has an upper flange which supports the gear Hi6. That is to say, the

gear iflt is rigid with a supporting shaft I20 which is rotatably seated within a receiving recess in the housing, the gear and its shaft being retained in the axial alinement clearly shown in Fig. 6 after the housing is assembled. The gear 402 is similarly mounted on the shaft I22 Journalled in a similar bearing housing and is prevented from moving axially downwardly .by means of a thrust washer H4 (Fig. '7), an edge of which engages above the large gear I06 so that the associated assembly is slidingly supported thereon. It will be noted that the present arrangement permits rapid assembly in that the several gears may merely be slid into the relative positions shown and the top cover applied to the housing to retain the parts in operative position. It is Thus, the sealif contemplated that the housing be provided with which is simple, compact and eflicient.

a suitable lubricant, and, accordingly, a washer or seal I26 is located between the adjoiningedges of the top and the main body of the housing; It will be obvious from the above that the application of the machine screws in the relationship shown not only interconnects the transmission, the motor and the cover, but clamps the entire transmission and its housing together as a unit.

The transmission drive or impeller shaft H8 extends downwardly into an adaptor or fitting I28, being secured thereto by pin I30. The fitting I28 has a cup-shaped configuration at its upper end to receive a grease sealing washer I32. Since the shaft H8 extends through the bottom wall of the transmission housing the seal I32 performs a necessary and important function in preventing the influx of foreign matter into the interior of the washing vessel.

The lower end of the fitting I28 has a polygonal sectional configuration correspondingto the configuration of the aforementioned recess or aperture in the upper end of the agitator and is of such' a length that it completely engages in driving relationship with the agitator when the parts plying the motor 54 with electric current by means of a suitable electric conduit (not shown). Operation of the motor produces a desired oscillatory movement of the agitator II, which continues throughout the period of the washing operation. I I

The present invention provides a structure The washing vessel is extremely light and may be positioned at any convenient point and readily filled, emptied, and cleaned. So too, the agitator is freely removable from its supporting pin, and when in disuse the agitator may be removed from the assembly so that the washing container may be employed for storage purposes.

, So also, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a drive motor which is capable of being adequately ventilated, the motor, as pointed out above, being spaced from the cover a short distance to permit circulating air to enter the lower ventilating apertures 84, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. '6, and to pass out through the upper apertures.

It is unnecessary, according to the present inyention, to especially arrange the top cover unit relation on the upper rim.

5. A washing machine as defined in claim 3;

vantages, the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A washing machine comprising a container, a cover seated upon the rim of the container and bodily removable in its entirety from the container, an agitator shaft depending from said cover centrally thereof, a motor mounted upon the cover on the upper side thereof and on an axis extending substantially vertically and centrally of the cover, transmission means mounted centrally on the cover on the underside thereof and connecting the motor to the agitator shaft, an agitator extending upwardly substantially centrally of the container in alignment with the agitator shaft, and coupling means carried by the agitator shaft and the agitator for removably interconnecting said agitator shaft and said agitator as the cover is placed on the container.

2. A washing machine comprising a container, a cover seated upon the rim of the container and bodily removable in its entirety from the container, said cover having a concave-convex wall portion with the convex side facing upwardly, an agitator shaft depending from said cover centrally thereof, a motor mounted upon the cover on the upper side thereof and on an axis extending substantially vertically and centrally of .the cover, transmission means mounted on the cover and connecting the motor to the agitator shaft, said transmission means being located on the inner side of the cover and substantially completely within the concave portion thereof, an agitator extending upwardly substantially centrally of the container in alignment with the agitator shaft, and coupling means carried by the agitator shaft and the-agitator for removably interconnecting said agitator shaft and said agitator as the cover is placed on the container.

3. A washing machine, comprising an upstanding, generally cylindrical container having an upper annular rim, a cover having a peripheral portion adapted to seat on the rim of the container' and-bodily removable in its entirety from the container, an agitator shaft depending from said cover centrally thereof, a motor mounted on the cover on the upper side thereof and on an axis extending substantially vertically and centrally of the cover, transmission means operatively interposed between the motor and the agitater shaft, said transmission means being disposed centrally of the cover and projecting downwardly from the underside thereof, an agitator extending upwardly substantially centrally of the container in alignment with the agitator shaft, and coupling means carried by the agitator shaft and the agitator for removably interconnecting said agitator shaft and said agitator as the cover is placed on the container.

4. A washing machine as defined in claim 3,

wherein an enclosing housing is disposed about said transmission meansfor separating said transmission means from the interior of the container when the cover is disposed in operative wherein said transmission means is enclosed by a sealed housing extending downwardly below the lower side of the cover.

EDWARD A. 85881.. 

